Maybe it's the promise of a clean slate, a shiny new beginning, but I've always loved the new start and freshness that a new year promises. I'm the only person I know how actually likes new year resolutions and goals and bucket lists. Yes please!

My goals include artistic, business and personal. I get all giddy thinking about listing my goals, books I want to read this year, movies I want to see, places to travel to... Setting goals helps me clarify for myself what priorities I want to pursue; it helps me organize my days, and strive towards finish lines. Without my lists of goals I would be like one of my Great Danes, distracted by every squirrel (or inspiration) I see, darting in one direction and then the next, but never really getting what I want.

Below are some of my goals for 2017. If you like to set goals too, please share them!

I want to get better.

How do I get better? I focus on specific techniques, materials, subjects or styles that speak to me and pursue them. I read, fill sketchbooks, take workshops, and push forward. I schedule time to do this. For this year, I am putting botanical watercolors at the top of my list. I want to put together a portfolio of botanical studies.

“Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.” - Cicero

I want to expand my boundaries.

I love watercolors, and sketching, and drawing. But I am inspired by all kinds of art and I want o explore creating beyond my comfort zone. So I've decided to learn about paper arts, in particular I want to explore book folding and paper cutting art. This will push me to venture into new techniques, mediums and tools. There is simply too much joy in learning new ways of seeing and creating to limit myself to what I am comfortable with! All learning helps me grow as an artist.

Movies

I discovered a list of great movies about artists. I want to see these all in 2017. The count down of the top ten movies listed is:

So this is how I love to start each year. Setting goals and coming up with a plan to put them into motion. I understand that this approach is not for everyone. You have your own temperament. Figure out what you would love to do this year and then figure out your own plan for getting closer to those dreams. Get better, get closer, get happier.